Orolig Vänner

[Skånskige Statsunionen]

OOC: Orolig Vänner literally means 'worried friends' but in this context it is 'uneasy friends'

Norrjaktslott
Nysjöping, Ågardbyggarna
Skånskige Statsunionen

Chancellor for External and AGE Affairs, Bengt Persson paced about in the second floor reading room of the Royal Hunting Lodge. The media reports of what the Belmonti Government troubled him greatly. The new Belmonti policy of provoking communist and IRB nations was at most an irritant and at most a blatant slap in the face of Scanian diplomacy, which had used its connections within the Alliance to overcome strong opposition to Belmonti membership. Additionally, it made relations with the northern neighbours difficult...especially if Scania continued to push for Belmonti membership in AGE.

Chancellor Persson had wanted to use this meeting to hammer out some of the details of the Accession Treaty and strategy to win over some of the more skeptical members of the Alliance but now, he didn't know. First the moving towards AGE, then to EDF then back then provoking the Communists. It gave Persson a headache.

One of the young interns from the University popped his hand into the reading room. He had come to announce that the Belmonti minister was on his way.

Persson took a deep breath and took a shot of Akvavit and made his way to the official reception area of the Palace

 

[Serenierre]

Norrjaktslott
Nysjöping, Ågardbyggarna
Skånskige Statsunionen

"Bonjour Monsieur Persson" said Shahrazad S. Martin "I do, most sincerely, hope that these meetings lead to expansion of our ties."

 

[Skånskige Statsunionen]

Norrjaktslott
Nysjöping, Ågardbyggarna
Skånskige Statsunionen

Chancellor for External and AGE Affairs, Bengt Persson clapped the hand of the Belmontien Foreign Minister in a strong but gentle way. He looked the Foreign Minister in the eyes and with his strong Ågarder accent said,

''Welcome Mr. Martin to Skånskige Statsunionen. I apologise for the use of the Royal Hunting Lodge but your government's policy towards agitiating communists put my office in a tight spot. We wanted to meet with you and discuss our ties but we also cannot offended our northern neighbours too much because of our shared oil and gas interests.

Please come with me to somewhere more comfortable. Is there anything you would like; wine, spirits, champagne, beer?''

The aides of the Palace took off the coat of the Belmontien Foreign Minister and the two men walked into the ante chamber reading room for a little chat.

 

[Serenierre]

Norrjaktslott
Nysjöping, Ågardbyggarna
Skånskige Statsunionen

"I am assuming that this question is in regard to the AP report. Well let me say, as Foreign Minister, that the Kingdom of Belmont does not plan, nor does it intend, to supply any insurgent movement in any country anywhere in the world."

Shahrazad paused for a second to breathe and she continued, "The Associated Press report was quite flawed. First off, Premier Plantard did indeed hold a meeting but the issue discussed was preventing communist insurgents from entering Belmont... there was absolutely no talk, whatsoever, of arming any anti-communist group outside of Belmont." She leaned back into the chair and, in a more relaxed tone, continued "Sometimes the press in Belmont gets wild. It sensationalizes... sells papers for them... creates headaches for us."

Shahrazad took a sip from her cup of tea. She looked at her counterpart and smiled, only slightly, "I hope that misunderstanding is out of the way. Now lets move on to something else Mr. Persson. Maybe economy?"

 

[Skånskige Statsunionen]

Norrjaktslott
Nysjöping, Ågardbyggarna
Skånskige Statsunionen

Chancellor for External and AGE Affairs, Bengt Persson thought about the likeliness of the Associated Press being so wrong on such an important issue but thought it was wise not to continue pressing, he would leave that to his more vicious allies.

''Well Madame Shahrazad, I do find it troubling that a reputable news organisation would make such wild accusations and that your Government has been silent about quashing such rumours immediately. However, I will accept your answer as it until I have reasons otherwise. Still, you must understand that this puts me and my Government in an ackward position. I do very much wish to help you and support you in your process of accession to AGE but Scania borders a highly influential communist nation which we have tried for decades to maintain cordial relations with. I cannot jeopardise that, especially now that a very large oil and gas field has been found along our unresolved border in the Western Ocean.

But yes, lets move on to other issues.''

Chancellor Persson took another shot of Pear Akvavit and pulled open his economic dossier.

''Please, what can Scania do for Belmont on the economy?''